[Takadanobaba] Baba Rock Media Coverage History | A Comprehensive Summary from TV, Magazines to Overseas Media

Since opening our izakaya in Takadanobaba's drinking district, commonly known as "Ura-Baba," Baba Rock has thankfully been featured in a wide variety of media outlets.

In this article, we will introduce the history of our media coverage right from our opening, accompanied by behind-the-scenes stories from back then. From gourmet magazines to TV, and even unexpected overseas media. Oh man, seeing them lined up again is quite a sight. Haha.

📰 1 | Featured in 3 dining industry media outlets just 2 months after opening (2012)

In just over two months since opening in July 2012, we were featured in three dining industry media outlets: "Food Stadium," "Japan Foodservice News," and "Foodlink."

The restaurant design, featuring a robatayaki hearth right in the center of the room, seemed to catch the eye of industry media. It was a start as a "bold izakaya"—neither a formal restaurant nor a traditional kappo.

📖 2 | Featured in "Bacchante," a dining magazine for women (2012)

In the winter of that same year, we were heavily featured in Futabasha's women's food and drink magazine, "Baccante."

It was a magazine launched by the members of the legendary food and drink magazine "ARIGATT," named after the wife of Bacchus, the god of wine. When our restaurant was prominently featured in a magazine sold even at convenience stores, all of our staff went to look at the stacks displayed flat in bookstores. Lol

🍢 3 | Featured across a spread in Shibata Shoten's "Izakaya 2013" (2013)

We were also featured prominently across a double-page spread in the MOOK "Izakaya 2013" by Shibata Shoten, a long-established publisher in the food and drink industry.

Chosen as one of the standout izakayas from across the country, we were introduced mainly through our specialty robatayaki (charcoal grill). The magazine issue from back then is still displayed in the restaurant, so please feel free to take a look when you visit.

🌍 4 | An unexpected overseas expansion!? French video media and "Japanese Restaurant News" (2013)

This year, we also received inquiries from overseas. A multilingual journalist raised in Paris who runs a video media outlet called "MIKI.TV" featured our proud course meals and original cocktails in their coverage.

cosplay animal at yammyyy japanese restaurant! by MIKI TV

Furthermore, we were featured in an overseas-targeted media outlet called "Japanese Restaurant News." Actually, we don't remember being interviewed, and it seems the article from "Izakaya 2013" was quoted... but it gives us a deep sense of emotion to think that an izakaya in Takadanobaba crossed the ocean. Lol

📰 5 | Featured in the influential local newspaper "Takadanobaba Shimbun" (2014)

The powerhouse local media outlet "Takadanobaba Shimbun" featured us, focusing mainly on our signature Gaburi Chicken (whole grilled chicken).

A healthy, whole-roasted chicken marinated for a day, carefully hung and roasted over an irori hearth with just the right amount of salt. Having our specialty introduced in a medium read by locals was truly a heartwarming event as an izakaya in Ura-Baba.

📺 6 | Appeared on TV Tokyo's "Hiru Meshi Tabi" (2015)

In November 2015, our restaurant was broadcasted on the TV Tokyo program "Hiru Meshi Tabi" in its corner called "Oyaji Meshi."

Alongside our signature Gaburi Chicken (whole grilled chicken) and our secretly popular shrimp cream croquettes, the manager introduced "Fall Salmon with Japanese-style Tartar Sauce," which you can make at home. After the broadcast, customers kept coming in saying, "I saw you on TV!"... The power of television is truly something else.

🍻 7 | NTV's "Waratte Koraete!" Hashigo no Tabi visits Takadanobaba (2024)

Broadcasted on June 26, 2024, Nippon TV's "1-Oku-nin no Dai-shitsumon!? Waratte Koraete!". The popular segment "Hashigo no Tabi (bar-hopping until no open shops are left)" set its stage in Takadanobaba, and actress Hiroe Igeta visited our restaurant.

It was a project where she literally bar-hopped through the late-night Ura-Baba, and she stopped by our shop as well. After the broadcast, it was also distributed on TVer, and we received many comments saying, "We saw you!" Ms. Igeta, thank you very much for visiting!

🍶 We will continue to be a restaurant that makes people want to feature us

Looking back like this, from gourmet magazines to television and overseas media, we have truly been discovered by so many people. We would like to express our sincere gratitude once again to the customers who have supported us and the media members who have featured us.

When you are looking for an izakaya or restaurant in Takadanobaba, please come by at least once to taste the flavors that made it to the media.

We sincerely look forward to welcoming you again tonight!

📩 Reservations & Inquiries

From same-day walk-ins like "Can you seat us today?" to banquets such as drinking parties, girls' night out, and welcome/farewell parties, please feel free to contact us.

📞 Phone Reservation: 03-3209-8869 (Baba Rock)

📸 Web Reservation (Available 24/7)